To Go Or Not To Go - How To Decide If This Marketing/Design Project Will Bring In Revenue

All too often business owners get confused and ultimately dejected because they can't get a peace about investing or not investing in a creative marketing/design project. I've developed an easy, logical and methodical approach to help you decide which marketing and design projects you need to invest in.

Naming and Branding Your Business

You've heard it a million times. Perception is everything. Regardless of whether it's the truth, perception is what rules the world. So when considering your business name, make sure that the perception of that name is what you intend it to be.

Do You Need A Cool Company Logo Or Would A Stinker Be More Effective?

The debate over how much of a companies large reserves of spending power should be spent with greedy, oafish design agencies rages on and is not about to be resolved in this trite article, however we can suggest some alternatives to the usual company logo ideas and perhaps for once bad could be the new good...or something.

How to Win when you are Outspent

Most of us are outspent. If you want to win market share and you dont have the biggest ad budget in your category there are some strategies that you should consider.

How To Build A Brand Strategy To Steal Market Share

Market leaders were generally on a deliberate track to build category. In many ways, this is not as true today as it was in the past. Today, only a few market leaders can afford the luxury of simply building categories.

Business Branding for Personal Service Type Companies

Business branding for personal service type companies is not as simple as for other types of companies. If you look to slick and corporate you will actually lose customers and potential customer.

Re-Evaluating Your Brand Will Heighten ROI and Marketplace Performance

Marketers charged with achieving return on investment and marketplace performance in today's competitive landscape know that powerful, relevant brands make the difference between success and failure. Keeping brands up-to-date requires constant vigilance because quick fixes to tactical elements rarely offer long term rewards that lasting brands provide. Consider these top ten symptoms to decide if it is time to re-evaluate your brand.

Unraveling the Hidden Truths Behind a Graphic Designer's Portfolio - What They Don't Tell You

Before you give a nickel to a designer you want to make sure you’ve thoroughly gone through her/his creative portfolio. Looking at a designer’s portfolio is a good place to start your evaluation, but there are often (I mean almost always) concealed facts behind what you see. Not knowing the whole truth behind what you’re looking at can cost your company big time. The artist isn’t going to volunteer the information, so it’s your job to be informed and ask the right questions to uncover what you really need to know.

Expressing Your Brand in 60 Seconds or Less!

While some enjoy the hunt for new connections others would rather spend an afternoon with a dentist drill than introduce themselves to someone new. Whatever camp you reside in, the #1 most effective way to get the word out about your business is networking. It's inexpensive, and when executed correctly, your best means of advertising your brand.

Marketing 202; Increasing Brand Awareness While Getting Immediate Response

Many marketing and account executives who sell advertising will ask the question do you want to increase your brand awareness or do you want direct response from the potential customer to come and buy from you tomorrow. Many of these account executives and advertising salespeople separate the two different goals.

Building Business - The Old Fashion Way

In today’s global economy everyone is searching for a niche to make more money. We have become so specific about how we do business that we have forgotten how to make money the old fashion way.

How to Create a Perennial Brand

A perennial brand is a brand that lasts for decades through bad and good economic conditions. One of the most well-known perennial brands is Coca-Cola. This soft drink was created in 1886 and started out as a soda fountain drink selling for five cents per glass. Today Coca-Cola has 400 soft drink brands and operates in 200 countries. The revenue in 2005 was 6.4 billion, and $4.7 billion was paid to shareholders.

It's A Lot Like Spinach Stuck Between Your Teeth – How Can You Tell You Need Marketing & Design Help

Having a bad marketing strategy or business image is a lot like a piece of spinach wedged in your teeth, a bad-comb over or leaving your fly open – everyone sees it, it looks bad, but no one will tell you to your face. It’s tough to know when you look good and when you need a little help. Your business image is no different. So how can you tell when you might need marketing and design help? Reading this article is a great place to start.

The Name Game: Part 3

This is the final article in a three part series dealing with naming.